Wolfsong (Green Creek 1)

“Maybe,” I said. “Didn’t get his name. He was talking too much.”

Everyone looked at me again.

“I wasn’t talking too much,” Joe grumbled. “You talk too much. With your face.” But he didn’t leave my side. He kicked the dirt with his sneakers. One of his shoes was about to become untied. There was a ladybug on a dandelion, red and black and yellow. A breeze came and it flew away.

“Joe,” I said, trying out the name.

He grinned as

he looked up at me. “Hi, Ox. Ox! There’s something I—” He cut himself off, sneaking a glance up at his father before he sighed again. “Fine,” he said, and I didn’t know who he was talking to.

“Those are his brothers,” Mark said. “Carter.” The one my age. He grinned at me and waved. “Kelly.” The younger of the two. Somewhere between Carter and Joe. He nodded at me, looking a little bored.

That left two others. They didn’t scare me, but it felt like they should. I waited for Mark, but he kept quiet. Eventually, the woman said, “You’re an odd one, Ox.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, because my mom taught me respect.

She laughed. I thought it beautiful. “I’m Elizabeth Bennett. This is my husband, Thomas. You already know his brother, Mark. It looks as if we’re to be neighbors.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” I said, because my mom taught me manners.

“What about my acquaintance?” Joe asked me, pulling on my hand.

I looked down at him. “Yours too.”

That smile returned.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?” Thomas asked, watching me carefully.

I thought yes and no at the same time. It made my head hurt. “Mom’s coming home soon. We’re eating dinner together tonight because it’s my birthday.” I winced. I hadn’t meant to say that.

Joe gasped. “What? Why didn’t you tell me! Mom! It’s his birthday!”

She sounded amused when she said, “I’m standing right here, Joe. I heard. Happy birthday, Ox. How old are you now?”

“Sixteen.” They were all still staring at me. There was sweat on the back of my neck. The air was hot.

“Cool,” Carter said. “Me too.”

Joe glared at him, baring his teeth. “I found him first.” He stood in front of me, as if blocking Carter from me.

“That’s enough,” his father said, his voice a bit deeper.

“But… but—”

“Hey,” I said to Joe.

He looked up at me with frustrated eyes.

“It’s okay,” I said. “Listen to your dad.”

He sighed and nodded, squeezing my hand again. His shoelace came untied as he kicked the dandelion.

“I’m ten,” he muttered finally. “And I know you’re old, but I found you first so you have to be my friend first. Sorry, Dad.”

And then he said, “I just want to get you a present,” so I said, “You already did,” and I didn’t think I’d ever seen a smile as bright as his at that moment.

I said good-bye then and I knew they watched me as I walked away.